Polyimidines,a new class of polymers. II. Polyhexamethylenetetraphenyldithiopyromellitimidine

Polyimidines have been shown to be soluble, thermally stable polymers. In searching for an alternate synthetic method the thio analog of this system has been discovered. The brightly colored (red-orange) perthio derivatives of 3,3-diphenylphthalide and 3,3,5,5-tetraphenyipyromellitide were synthesized from their oxo analogs with P₂S₅. The model compound thioimidines were synthesized by reacting 3,3-diphenyldithiophthalide with aniline and with 1,6-hexane diamine and by reacting 3,3,5,5-tetraphenyltetrathiopyromellitide with aniline and n-hexylamine. The polymerization of tetraphenyltetrathiopyromellitide occurred readily with 1,6-hexanediamine in boiling carbon tetrachloride with complete cyclization. This reaction gave an 80% yield with inherent viscosities up to 0.89 and molecular weights up to approximately 11,000. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a 2% weight loss at 200°C and 10% weight loss at 300°C with rapid decomposition above 300°C. Although the polythioimidine was less thermally stable than its oxo analog, it was much more soluble in common solvents (aromatic and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons) and more readily synthesized in higher yield.     

Polyimidines,a new class of polymers. I. Phenylated polypyromellitimidines

Model compounds and polymers containing the imidine functional group have been synthesized from diphenylphthalide and tetraphenylpyromellitide by condensation with mono- and diamines. The diamine monomers included: 1,6-diaminohexane, p-phenylenediamine, and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether. Reactions were run either in biphenyl or with no solvent at 250–300°C to yield up to 57% product with molecular weights up to approximately 16,000 and inherent viscosities to 0.15. All polymers were soluble in chloroform and dimethylformamide and showed thermal stabilities by TGA to range from 225°C (for aliphatic backbones) to 400°C (for aromatic systems).     

Cationic polymerization of α,β-disubstituted olefins. IV. Stereospecific polymerization of propenyl alkyl ethers catalyzed by BF3·O(C2H5)2 and Al2(SO4)3–H2SO4 complex

The cis- and trans-propenyl alkyl ethers were polymerized by a homogeneous catalyst [BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂] and a heterogeneous catalyst [Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂SO₄ complex]. Methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and tert-butyl propenyl ethers were used as monomers. The steric structure of the polymers formed depended on the geometric structures of monomer and the polymerization conditions. In polymerizations with BF₃·O(C₂H₅)₂ at ?78°C., trans isomers produced crystalline polymers, but cis isomers formed amorphous ones except for tert-butyl propenyl ether. On the other hand, highly crystalline polymers were formed from cis isomers, but not from the trans isomers in the polymerization by Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂SO₄ complex at 0°C. The x-ray diffraction patterns of the crystalline polymers obtained from the trans isomers were different from those produced from the cis isomers, except for poly(methyl propenyl ether). The reaction mechanism was discussed briefly on these basis of these results.     

Polymerization of vinylcyclopropanes. III. Cationic polymerization of stereoisomers of 1-halo-2-vinylcyclopropanes

Vinylcyclopropane derivatives, 1-chloro- and 1-bromo-2-vinylcyclopropane, have respectively two stereoisomers, and radical polymerizations of both isomers gave 1,5-type polymers. On the other hand, only the cis isomers gave a polymer which had mainly 1,2-type structural units in cationic polymerizations with Lewis acids. The difference between the cationic polymerizabilities of the cis and trans isomers is interpreted in terms of steric conformation of monomers.     

Polymidines. V. Poly[(3,3-diphenyl-2,6-phthalimidinediyl)-carbonyl(3,3-diphenyl-6,2-phthalimidine)]s

A new diphthalide monomer, bis(3,3-diphenyl-6-phthalidyl) ketone, was polymerized with six diamines: 1,6-diaminohexane, benzidine, p-phenylene diamine, p,p′-diaminodiphenyl ether, p,p′-diaminodiphenylmethane, and 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone. Solution polymerization in benzhydrol, biphenyl, or p-phenylphenol solvents gave low-molecular-weight polymers (inherent viscosity 0.13 dl/g or less) which were soluble in chloroform and dimethylformamide. TGA data showed 10% weight losses at 445–525°C in air and 475–540°C in nitrogen for the aromatic backbones. Yields ranged from 47 to 78%. The application of continuous vacuum to the polymerization allowed the removal of water by-product and resulted in a light-colored polymer.     

Polymerization of acetylenic derivatives. XXX. Isomers of polyphenylacetylene

Cis-transoidal (orange, soluble, and of low crystallinity) and cis-cisoidal (red, insoluble, and highly crystalline) polyphenylacetylenes (PPA) were prepared by Ziegler-Natta catalysts and trans-cisoidal (yellow, soluble, and amorphous) polyphenylacetylenes were prepared by using phosphine complexes, TiCl₄ and by thermal initiation. The cis-transoidal and cis-cisoidal structures isomerize thermally in the solid state above 100°C. In solution the cis-transoidal structure isomerizes above 80°C. The polymers obtained by thermal isomerization are soluble, amorphous, and have a trans-cisoidal structure. At temperatures higher than 120°C the cis–trans isomerization is accompanied by cyclization and by scission of the polymer chain. A method was developed for determination of cis content of cis-transoidal and cis-cisoidal polyphenylacetylenes.     

Structure and reactivity of α,β-unsaturated ethers. III. Cationic copolymerizations of alkenyl alkyl ethers

The relative cationic polymerizabilities of the geometrical isomers of various alkenyl alkyl ethers were studied both in copolymerizations with each other and in their respective copolymerizations with vinyl isobutyl ether as standard. Copolymerizations were carried out in methylene dichloride at ?78°C. with boron trifluoride etherate as catalyst. The cis isomers have been found to be more reactive than the corresponding trans isomers. A primary alkyl substituent on the β-cis position of vinyl ethyl ether enhances the reactivity. Yet the steric effect is noticeable when the substituents are bulky. Compounds substituted with cis-β-isobutyl and with β-dimethyl showed little tendency to homopolymerization. It was proved that the polymer ends derived from cis and from trans monomers are respectively different in character because of the restricted rotation of the end unit around the terminal carbon–carbon bond. The alternation tendency, remarkable in the copolymerization of cis monomers with vinyl ether, was explained in terms of the cis-opening mechanism.     

Molecular modeling studies of novel heteroarotinoids

The molecular structure and conformational properties of structurally related oxo and thio heteroarotinoids have been calculated by employing AM1 molecular orbital and both MM2P and Chem-X “optimize” molecular mechanics methods, and the results have been compared with crystal structure data. For the cis and trans oxo heteroarotinoids, MM2P gives values of the bridge torsion angles ?₁ and ?₂ in closest agreement with the crystal structure, and all three computational methods yield values of ?₁ and ?₂ within about 10° of that found in the crystal structures. All three computational methods locate a minimum-energy conformation for the trans isomer corresponding to the two bridged aryl rings being mutually perpendicular, in agreement with the crystal structure and similar to that found for the structurally analogous trans-stilbene. The calculated heteroring geometries also reproduce the twist-sofa conformation observed for the crystal structure. Calculated conformational energies versus ?₁ and ?₂ indicate broad energy wells about the minimum-energy conformation with barriers to rotation at the planar and perpendicular conformations, and with higher barriers found for the more sterically congested cis isomer. The corresponding cis and trans thio heteroarotinoids exhibit conformational properties similar to their oxo analogues. Both AM1 and MM2P fare poorly in reproducing the crystal structure values of the sulfur-containing bond lengths and bond angles. The C-S bonds found in these thio heteroarotinoids may possess more double-bond character than accounted for in the calculations. Also, the results suggest that the MM2P sulfur-related force-field parameters adopted for these calculations may require further refinement.     

Hydrogen bonding interaction between ureas or thioureas and nitro-compounds

The hydrogen bonding interactions between ureas or thioureas and different nitro-compounds were studied using the MP2 method. After comparing four possible conformations, the most stable one was found, which has the typical hydrogen bonding feature of red-shift effect. Based on it, the substituent effects on both nitro-compounds and (thio) urea were researched. The results indicated that electron-withdrawing groups on ureas or thioureas and electron-donating groups on nitro-compounds can both facilitate the hydrogen bonding formation. The NBO analysis further disclosed the essence of the hydrogen bonding interaction. We also studied the cis–trans isomerization of the complexes of (thio) urea with nitroalkenes, which revealed that, for hydrogen-bonding complexes, it is necessary to take both cis and trans isomers into consideration, especially for nitroalkenes with little steric effect substituents.     

Oxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with glycine bisphenol [O,N,O,O′] ligand: synthesis and catalytic studies

The oxomolybdenum(VI) complex [MoOCl(L)] with a tetradentate glycine bisphenol ligand (H₃L) was prepared by reaction of [MoO₂Cl₂(DMSO)₂] with a ligand precursor in hot toluene. The product was isolated in moderate yield as separable cis and trans isomers along with the third minor component, [MoO₂(HL)]. The solid-state structure of trans-[MoOCl(L)] was determined by X-ray diffraction. The ligand has tetradentate coordination through three oxygens and one nitrogen, which is located trans to the terminal oxo whereas the sixth coordination site is occupied by a chloride. Both cis and trans isomers of [MoOCl(L)] are active catalysts for epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene and sulfoxidation of tolyl methyl sulfide. The cis isomer gave higher activity in epoxidation and sulfoxidation reactions at room temperature than the trans isomer but they performed identically at 50?°C.     

Living cationic polymerization of cis- and trans-ethyl propenyl ethers and synthesis of block copolymers with isobutyl vinyl ether

The cationic polymerization of cis- and trans-ethyl propenyl ethers (EPE, CH₃? CH?CH? O? C₂H₅), initiated by a mixture of hydrogen iodide and iodine (HI/I₂ initiator) at ?40°C in nonpolar media (toluene and n-hexane), led to living polymers of controlled molecular weights and a narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) (M?_w/M?_n = 1.2–1.3). The geometrical isomerism of the monomer did not affect the living character of the polymerization. ¹³C NMR stereochemical analysis of the polymers showed that the living propagating end is sterically less crowded than nonliving counterparts generated by conventional Lewis acids (e.g., BF₃OEt₂). New block copolymers between EPE (cis or trans) and isobutyl vinyl ether were also prepared by sequential living polymerization of the two monomers.     

Insight into the Thermal Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Phospha[1]ferrocenophanes

A mixture of cis/trans isomers of phospha[1]ferrocenophanes equipped with one iPr group at the α position to the bridging PhP moiety was prepared. Both isomers (cis‐ 4 and trans‐ 4 ) were obtained as racemates and could be separated so that their thermal properties were investigated individually. The molecular structure of cis‐ 4 was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis showing a tilt angle α=26.35(8)°. Interconversion between both isomers occurred in the melt at elevated temperatures and revealed that the trans isomer is thermodynamically more stable. Structural and thermodynamic data was complemented by DFT calculations (B3PW91/6‐311+G(d,p) and B3PW91‐D3(BJ)/6‐311+G(d,p)). Performance of thermal ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of trans‐ 4 at 230 °C gave polymers and cyclic oligomers. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of the sulfurized polymer resulted in a molecular weight of 62.5 kDa (M_w) and a polydispersity index of 1.39 (PDI). Mass spectrometric analysis of the oligomers showed the presence of cyclic species from dimers to heptamers. After sulfurization, preparative thin layer chromatography led to the separation of three isomeric dimers. Structural characterization of these dimers by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis led to the conclusion that the Fe?Cp bond breaks during the thermal ROP process. A mechanism similar to the known mechanism of the photolytic ROP of ferrocenophanes is proposed.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Thermal Properties of Imide-Containing Phthalonitrile Polymers

A series of novel imide-containing phthalonitrile polymers with flexible aryl ether units have been synthesized and characterized. Bisphenol monomers were synthesized by a multi-step synthesis involving a condensation reaction between aromatic aldehydes and 2,6-dimethyl phenol, respectively. The bisphenols obtained were reacted with 4-nitrophthalonitrile to form aryl ether linkage containing bisphthalonitriles. These products were hydrolyzed to tetra carboxylic acid, which were subsequently converted into corresponding dianhydrides. The obtained dianhydrides were reacted with synthesized 4-(4′-aminophenoxy) phthalonitrile by thermal imidization leading to the formation of imide-containing phthalonitrile monomers. The synthesized monomers were cured with 3.5 wt% of aromatic diamine, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulphone(DDS). The structure and properties of all compounds synthesized were confirmed by using elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, DSC, TGA and rheometric studies. The cure temperatures are found to be in the range of 283–302°C, the temperature of 5% and 10% weight loss from TGA are in the range of 433–492°C in N₂ and 424–478°C in air, char yield at 800°C is 40–51%.     

Stereochemistry in cationic polymerization of alkenyl ethers. II. Formation of poly(ß-substituted vinyl ether)s with erythro-meso structures

The formation of polymers with erythro-meso structures, which could not be obtained from propenyl ethers with BF₃O(C₂H₅)₂, was studied by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy on poly(ß-substituted vinyl ether)s obtained under a variety of conditions of polymerization. It was established that poly(cis-ethyl propenyl ether) obtained with Al₂(SO₄)₃–H₂SO₄ complex in toluene at 0°C was a highly stereoregular polymer with an erythro-meso structure. Cis-2-chlorovinyl ethyl ether and cis-methyl and ethyl butenyl ethers also yielded polymers with erythro-meso structures under the same conditions. In addition, with BF₃O(C₂H₅)₂ at ?78°C these three cis isomers produced amorphous polymers with threo-meso, racemic, and, in a few cases, erythro-meso structures, whereas cis-ethyl propenyl ether produced polymers with only threo-meso and racemic structures by the same catalyst. On the other hand, all trans isomers produced stereoregular polymers with threo-meso structures with BF₃O(C₂H₅)₂ at ?78°C, regardless of their ß-substituents; no erythro-meso structures were found in the polymers obtained.     

Stimuli-responsive polymers. III. Poly(aryl ether ketone amide)s with reversible trans- ↔ cis-4,4′-azobenzene and fixed 2,2′-binaphthyl kinking elements in the main chain

The low-temperature polycondensation of trans-azobenzene-4,4′-dicarbonyl chloride with (S)-(−)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine and/or 1,4-bis(3-aminophenoxy-4′-benzoyl)benzene afforded a new series of poly(aryl ether ketone amide)s with both fixed and photoinducible kinking elements positioned randomly along the main chain. In their lower energy, trans-azobenzene configurations, the orange, film-forming materials were amorphous, highly tractable, and thermally stable under air or nitrogen up to about 420°C. Variants endowed with higher loadings of the bent binaphthyl monomer were soluble in a variety of organic solvent media including THF and acetone. The introduction of cis-azobenzene backbone kinks into these materials was carried out by irradiating the polymer solutions with near-UV light. Up to 70% of the azobenzene moieties in these polymers were capable of assuming the higher energy cis-configuration, thus greatly increasing the number of bent or kinked sites positioned along each polymer backbone. In solution, reverse cis → trans isomerization reactions were triggered thermally and were quantitatively tracked by both optical absorbance and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. Activation parameters calculated for cis → trans reorganization of the polymer backbone were not dependent upon the chemical composition or molecular weight of the polymers but did exhibit a small dependence upon the nature of the solvent medium used to conduct the isomerization experiment. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 2827–2837, 1998     

Cationic polymerization of α,β-disubstituted olefins. XV. Stereospecific polymerization of butenyl ethers by cationic catalysts

Methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl butenyl ethers, CH₃CH₂CH?CHOR, were polymerized with homogeneous catalysts at ?78°C. Toluene, methylene chloride, and nitroethane were used as solvents, and BF₃O(C₂H₅)₂ and SnCl₄·CCl₃CO₂H were used as catalysts. The stereoregularity of the polymers were compared by x-ray diagrams and infrared absorption ratios. The stereoregularity of polymers increased with increasing content of the trans isomer in the monomer and with increasing polarity of the solvent. In the polymerization of methyl and ethyl butenyl ethers, crystalline polymers were obtained from both the trans and cis isomers. The crystalline polymer prepared from the trans isomer and that from the cis isomer had the same steric structure. This behavior is quite different from that observed in the polymerization of propenyl ethers. It is concluded that the bulkiness of the group on the olefinic β-carbon plays an important role in the stereospecific polymerization of α,β-disubstituted olefins.     

Polyamides of 2,5-bis(amino methyl) 1,4-dioxane and dicarboxylic acids

Novel polyamides of 2,5-bis(amino methyl) 1,4-dioxane (cis/trans-BAMD) with adipic/sebacic acids and of 2,5-bis(carboxy methyl)/2,5-bis(carboxy) 1,4-dioxane with 1,6-hexane diamine have been prepared. Because of the slightly higher conformational flexibility of the 1,4-dioxane ring in comparison with that of the cyclohexane ring, the BAMD polyamides have lower T_g and T_m than the corresponding 1,4-bis(amino methyl) cyclohexane (BAMC) polyamides. The symmetry of the trans-dioxane moiety permits high crystallinity in the trans-BAMD polymers. The crystallinity T_g and T_m of the trans polymers are decreased with the incorporation of the cis-dioxane moiety which lacks a plane of symmetry. Because of the hydrophilic nature of the dioxane ring, t-BAMD-6 has good moisture-regain properties, yet is melt processable (T_m = 292°C).     

Self-regulating polycondensations. IV. Ordered oxadiazole-imide copolymers

Ordered oxadiazole-imide copolymers are prepared from simple aminobenzhydrazide monomers by a step-wise reaction which begins with the condensation of a diacid chloride to produce in situ a diamine containing hydrazide linkages. The in situ diamine is then reacted with a dianhydride to yield an ordered hydrazide-amic-acid copolymer; this precursor is converted by heating to the ordered heterocycle copolymer. Polymers prepared via this manner are identical in properties to those obtained by the reaction of a dianhydride with a diamine containing hydrazide linkages preformed by a straight forward synthesis from a dinitro precursor. Fibers spun from the soluble precursor polymers were converted via cyclodehydration to thermally stable fibers. Another polyoxadiazole-imide was produced in similar fashion; e.g., an aminobenzhydrazide was reacted with the acid chloride of trimellitic anhydride to yield an in situ AB monomer which was polymerized to yield a precursor polyhydrazide-amic-acid, which in turn was converted by cyclodehydration to an AB type polyoxadiazole-imide. Additional examples are cited of the formation of polymers from the in situ intermediates produced by the “self-regulating” reaction of aminobenzhydrazides with acid chlorides followed by polycondensation with difunctional monomers.     

Siloxane polymers containing azo moieties synthesized by click chemistry for photo responsive and liquid crystalline applications

Three new types of siloxane‐based photoactive liquid crystalline polymers containing azo side groups were synthesized through the click chemistry route. The polymers having molecular weight range of 14,000–34,000 g mol^?1 were soluble in most of the polar solvents like chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and dichloromethane. The photoresponsive trans–cis photoisomerization under UV radiation and cis–trans relaxation process in dark for the polymers were studied. The isomerization rate constants were found to be 0.01–0.04 sec^?1 and 1.16*10^?4–4.67*10^?4 sec^?1, respectively. It has been noted that the polymers showed high intensity absorption for n‐π* in chloroform. Both trans and cis forms of azide monomers having azo moiety exhibited molar extinction coefficient ( ? _max) in the range of 22,000–33,000 L mol^?1 cm^?1. The thermotropic behavior of the polymers was studied by polarizing optical microscope (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments. Polymer P1 showed liquid crystalline textures of nematic droplets, whereas P2 showed smectic focal conic texture and nematic droplets. Polymer P1 was also studied for photomechanical bending on exposure to UV radiation. The polymers showed initial degradation temperature in the range of 210–275°C. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Poly(arylene ether)s from new biphenols containing imidoarylene and dicyanoarylene moieties

Novel poly(arylene ether)s were synthesized from new biphenol monomers 14–16 1 containing imido‐ or dicyanoarylene groups. The syntheses of these polymers were carried out in tetramethylene sulfone in the presence of anhydrous K₂CO_3, by a nucleophilic substitution condensation between the biphenol and activated difluoro compounds to give high molecular weight polymers. All the polymers have high T_g 's and good thermal stability as determined from DSC and TGA analysis. Inherent viscosities of these polymers are in the range of 0.33–0.63 dL/g. They are amorphous and readily soluble in NMP, DMF, and DMSO. The glass‐transition temperatures of the polymers range from 248–295 °C. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1318–1322, 2000